THINK TUB PROPOSES NYC COPS ALL HAVE TASERS

CBS - A new report on the NYPD's firearms training done in the wake of the Sean Bell shooting was drawing fire Monday night. The report recommends arming the entire department with a controversial weapon. Police firearms training came under heavy criticism in the aftermath of the Bell shooting when 50 shots were fired at Bell and his friends.

On Monday, a new report had a surprising recommendation to prevent such multi-shot incidents. "The outcomes might have been different if the officers had less than lethal devices other than pepper spray," said Dr. Bernard Rostker of the Rand Corporation. . .

Rand experts recommend that the NYPD issue Taser guns to more of its patrol officers so they can stun victims instead of shooting them.

Civil liberties groups have strong reservations about Tasers. "The big concern with Tasers is its 50,000 volts of electricity police officers will be shooting at people," said Christopher Dunn, associate legal director of the NYCLU. "Many people have died as the result of Tasers.". . .

The Rev. Al Sharpton blasted the NYPD over the report. "For the police department to release a report that does not address the case that everyone in the city has emotional and passionate opinions about, pro and con, is to be irresponsible," Sharpton said.